We’re lovers. You know that. But every now and again, something comes across our desks that just seems... suspicious. Because of the tremendous material upside to all our lives if these claims pan out, we at times put ourselves in harm’s way to investigate. Albeit skeptically.

We call it: Skeptical Investigation. (Trademark pending.)

THE CLAIM
That python soup is delicious. And that it’s a healthy Chinese delicacy consumed for the purposes of attaining a higher level of vigor and vitality. And that it kind of tastes like chicken. What follows is a firsthand account of our brush with M.Y. China’s newly available bowl of Python Soup.

THE INVESTIGATION
On a foggy summer day, our lead reptile-eater person went to this top-floor restaurant and placed an order for some soup with snake in it. Soon enough, a steaming bowl of chicken stock, lemon leaf, dried scallop and Shaoxing wine broth arrived. In that broth: shredded chicken, pork and python meat.

And then there was nothing left to do but... well, eat it.

THE VERDICT
Yeah. Kind of tasted like chicken. It’s darker, stringier and a bit oilier compared to the real thing, but close enough to not really be able to tell the difference.

Unless someone’s like “You’re eating python.”